Sittuyin, the Burmese
Chess

Les échecs birmans

It is one of the most original Chess variety played in the World,
and it would merit much more attention.

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

The game is played over a uncheckered 64-squares
board, with the long diagonals often marked. At the beginning, only
the Pawns are placed.

The other pieces are placed after, starting by
Red first, followed then by Black. This constitutes the most characteristic
of that variety of Chess. This freedom in placement is probably
a local answer to the slowness of development of the ancient Arab-Indian
game. It is comparable, although more modern and efficient, than
the Ta'biya in Shatranj (players chosen a determined starting
arrangement) or the Werera in Senterej
(Ethiopian Chess, players were playing as many moves as they wanted
at high speed until the first capture).

The moves of the pieces come from ancient India.
They are those encountered in Thailand and
Cambodia.The main difference is small and is related to the
Pawn promotion which is here obtained when the Pawn cross the long
diagonal ahead.

Like in other Asian countries, the Queen and
Bishop are here a General and an Elephant and their move are the
old 1-step move on 4 and 5 directions respectively.

The name of the pieces and their meanings are
the following:

Name

meaning

equivalent

Min-gyi

Grand King

King

Sit-ke

Lieutenant-General

Queen

Sin

Elephant

Bishop

Myin

Horse

Knight

Yattah

Chariot

Rook

Nè

Pawn

Influenced by Hindu culture, the Chariot was
sometimes represented like a Boat carrying a shrine over wheels.
In rougher works, some carvers finally omitted the wheels, or even
the boat, leaving a kind of temple or tower, maybe under European
influence. Comparable designs have been found in India.

In honor of the legend of Rama, when the monkeys
defeated the demons, the Pawns and the Riders are often carved as
monkeys.

Pronounced "siturin", the word denotes
a affiliation with Sanskrit Chaturanga. At present time, it is impossible
to determine whether Chess were imported directly from neighboring
India like Buddhism which is the predominant religion, or from Siam
(Thailand) or even Java, themselves being indianized kingdoms in
the end of the first millennium.

Like Makruk, Sittuyin
was not known until a relatively late time. First report was made
by Major Symes, British ambassador, in 1800, confirmed by Captain
Cox who had lived in the court of Amarapura in 1801. Later, Doctor
Adolf Bastian made a description in 1863. However, all these early
descriptions were rather approximate. Some confusion occurred, but
this period ended with the publication of the first Burmese Chess
Guide : Myan-ma sit bayin lan-nyunt sa-ok gyi directed by
Shwei-gyin U Bha in 1924 (source Pritchard).

Terracotta chessmen from Burma. R.Pozzi collection.
Dated from 14th century by R.Pozzi (information from Manfred. Eder)